10 Disadvantages of Cycling

Paul has been an enthusiastic cyclist for many years. Born and raised in the UK, he now lives (and cycles) in Florida.

Source

As a seasoned cyclist, I am fully aware that there are many advantages of cycling compared to driving a car. In this article, though, I thought that it would be useful to look at the main negatives of riding a bike. These include: vulnerabilities when it comes to dangerous drivers and hazards in the road, as well as some of the limitations of a bicycle compared to a car.

Below are my 10 disadvantages of cycling.

The 10 Main Downsides of Cycling

Exposure to the Elements

Unexpected Expenses

Dangerous Drivers

Road Hazards

Poor Lights

Lack of Cycle Lanes and Trails

Lack of Storage

Limited Travel Distance

No Passengers

Bike Theft

I discuss each of the above points in more detail below.

1. Exposure to the Elements

Unlike when driving a car, you have very little to protect you from the weather when you cycle. When I lived in England, it was generally the rain and the cold that caused most problems, now that I live in Florida, it is the heat and humidity that causes me most trouble. For sure, you can dress in climate-appropriate clothing when you ride your bike, but you are never going to get the protection and comfort that you have from being inside a road vehicle.

2. Unexpected Expenses

To be a cyclist, all you need is a bike. But to ride safely, you will also need a bicycle helmet, lights, high visibility clothing. a bell or horn, as well as lock to deter thieves. You may also find if you use your bike regularly that riding a cheap model gets pretty old, and end up paying out more money to buy a better bike.

3. Dangerous Drivers

Dangerous drivers are a cyclist's worst enemy. Even if you ride responsibly and behave cautiously, there is little that you can do to completely avoid the risk of someone running a red light, being drunk behind the wheel of a vehicle, or not paying attention to the road because they are distracted by a cell phone. Dangerous drivers pose a threat to all road users, of course, but they pose a particular threat to cyclists, because they are more vulnerable than car or truck drivers. What would be a minor bump for a car can be a fatal accident for a cyclist.

4. Road Hazards

Minor obstacles in the road that a car driver would barely notice can be disastrous for for a cyclist. Branches, stones, mud, puddles, cracks, or holes in the road can all bring a cyclist off his or her bike. The problem is particularly bad at nighttime, as bike lights tend to be relatively weak, especially when compared with those of a road vehicle.

5. Poor Lights

Bicycle lights have improved considerably in the time that I have been riding, but they still don't compare with having the power of two headlights, like a car or a truck. It's harder to be seen by other vehicles on a bike, and the lights provide less illumination of the road ahead. The other problem is that the batteries can run out when you are traveling and you suddenly find yourself without a front or rear light.

6. Lack of Cycling Lanes and Trails

I am lucky to live in a relatively progressive city where there are increasing provisions for cyclists. Driving on the open road can feel dangerous and many car and truck drivers see you as an irritation that doesn't belong there, rather than another road user that should be respected. Having a purpose-built trail that is separate from the road is safer and more relaxing for cyclists and pacifies drivers who don't like cyclists.

7. Lack of Storage

Bicycles are great devices for getting one person from A to B, but if you want to carry more than fits into a basket, backpack, or a couple of panniers, you have a problem. It can mean making multiple trips to the store, or procuring other transport if you need to transport a bigger item like a TV or large rug. Some cyclists get a trailer to increase storage, but there are still limitations compared to most road vehicles.

Storage can be an issue if you use your bicycle to go to the shops, or need to carry something generally. Baskets, panniers, and backpacks are typical solutions for this problem, | Source

8. Limited Travel Distance

Everyone has their limits when it comes to recreational cycling. I personally don't like cycling anywhere if it takes me longer than thirty minutes to get there. Motorized road vehicles don't have those limitations.

9. No Passengers

Another limitation of bicycles is that you can't usually carry any passengers. Situations occur where you might want to give someone a ride, or collect someone, but you can't if you are on your bike. Also, to go anywhere as a group, everyone has to have their own individual bike. Okay, there are tandem bikes, and child trailers, but what I am saying generally holds true.

10. Bike Theft

Most city-dwelling cyclists that I know (including myself) have had at least one bike stolen. It's particularly bad in college towns, where thieves have plenty of opportunities to both steal and sell bicycles. It can be a particularly tiresome problem. You have to keep your bike secure, maybe insure it, or if you are like me, not ride an expensive bike for fear of having it taken.

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